2013 subaru forester Reviews and News

2013 Subaru Forester

By
Automobile Magazine
- 01/31/2013

New For 2013

Subaru is only making minor changes for 2013. A new value package for the 2.5X Premium model adds a display-type audio system, foglights, and the all-weather package, which includes heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. All 2.5X models receive Bluetooth audio streaming and iPod connectivity. Bluetooth and audio buttons now adorn all Forester steering wheels.

Overview

Subaru’s Forester is a bit of an unsung hero in the world of crossovers. Drivers looking for a basic vehicle with lots of safety equipment and space for the required gear of athletes or outdoor enthusiasts will be happy with a Forester. Subaru offers a variety of accessories to customize the Forester for tasks like carrying dogs in the cargo area or attaching skis, bikes, or luggage to the roof rails. Everything inside is durable and easy on the eyes, and the controls for the radio and ventilation system are managed by buttons and knobs instead of the touch-screen interfaces some other utility vehicles rely on. If you like driving, be sure to check out the XT variant and the 224-hp turbocharged engine that comes with it. Every Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, which can be an expensive option on other vehicles. The main problem for the Forester is its archaic four-speed automatic transmission. Subaru seems to be rolling out its much more efficient continuously variable transmission as a replacement for the automatic across its portfolio, but the Forester hasn’t been upgraded yet. That four-speed transmission is part of the reason the Forester manages only 27 mpg on the highway in its most-fuel-efficient form and drops to 24 mpg on the highway if you opt for the turbo engine.

Safety

Front, side, and side curtain air bags; traction and stability control; ABS; and tire-pressure monitoring are standard. A rearview camera is optional.

You'll like:

Drives like a car

AWD standard

You won't like:

Anonymous styling

Turbo chugs fuel

Key Competitors For The 2013 Subaru Forester

Subaru announced today that it will introduce the 2014 Forester crossover at the Los Angeles auto show in late November. That means the new Subaru Forester will probably go on sale early next year.
These official pictures of the 2014 Subaru Forester look almost identical to the leaked brochure photos we saw in September. The crossover gets a more upright, stubby nose with a larger grille, more prominent black lower fascia cladding, and tauter body lines. It looks like a more mature, grown-up version of the current Forester, and the revised grille matches that of the new Impreza, and refreshed 2013 Outback and Legacy.
The new Forester's wheelbase increases just 0.9 inches (to 103.9 inches), and overall the crossover grows by only 1.4 inches in length and 0.6 inches in width. Even so, Subaru says better packaging will allow for an "exceptionally roomy" cabin with more rear-seat and cargo room. A revised suspension setup is supposed to offer better on-road performance, while matching the current Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
The current car's 2.5-liter flat-four engine, with 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, carries forward as the base engine. It mates either to a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission, both of which are upgraded in order to help improve fuel economy.
Subaru also will introduce an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine with 250 hp and 258 lb-ft. It is equipped only with a continuously variable transmission that has hill-descent control. The CVT also can simulate either six or eight fixed gear ratios when drivers use the manual-shift controls.
Optional equipment on the 2014 Subaru Forester will include a Harman/Kardon audio system, backup camera, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, and navigation. (All of those features save the Harmon/Kardon system are already offered on the 2013 Forester.) Foresters with the 2.5-liter engine get 17-inch alloy wheels, while those with the turbo engine have 18-inch alloys.
Subaru hasn't yet said when the 2014 Forester will go on sale, but we expect to see the car in showrooms by next spring.
Source: Subaru

These leaked brochure photos appear to reveal the updated 2014 Subaru Forester, which has yet to be formally introduced by the automaker. The next Subaru Forester looks to adopt a more wagon-like appearance than the current model, with a design that mimics the newest version of the Impreza.

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Recalls

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

Consequences

Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

Potential Units Affected

461,338

Notes

Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:41

Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.

Consequences

Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.